A Scots council tenant fears for the health and safety of his family due to mouldy walls in his home.
Derek McKenzie believes his Dumbarton house, which he shares with his partner and eight-year-old child, has been hit with leaks coming from the ceiling.
The dad contacted West Dunbartonshire Council in a bid to solve the issue, which first emerged two months ago.
It follows a statement issued by local authority housing officers telling council tenants their safety is a priority in the wake of the death of a Rochdale two-year-old exposed to a mouldy house.
Derek told the local democracy reporting service: “The initial leaks coming from the ceiling into the property were first identified on October 26.
“When I first noticed this, there wasn’t any mould growing at that point; it was just the water, dampness and dark stains on the wall.
“I phoned the council to make a report, during that call I was told I would need to wait one month for an inspector to come out to look and identify the water problem before any repairs could be made.”
Derek said there had previously been a leak in his bathroom, and he’d waited a year for repair work.
He added he didn’t want to wait that long a second time, or another month for an inspection.
After he contacted his local MSP Jackie Baillie for support, an inspector came to examine the damage.
Derek noticed mould inside his property around a week later, reported Glasgow Live.
He said: “It was at that point I informed the council who sent out two more council officers, who sent a report to Jackie Baillie saying there were no mould stains.
“Now there weren’t any on the day they came out because I had been cleaning it because I am not going to leave mould on the walls but now I have had to leave it so everyone can see the issue.
“The housing inspector came out two weeks ago, showed no concern, and said this was a problem because of the condensation and not opening the windows.
“While I agree there is condensation, the mould growing on the roof is feeding on the water that is penetrating from a leak.
“He said someone would come out, scrape off the mould, add three coats of antifungal while they wait for a contractor to go onto the roof to repair the leaks which isn’t due until next year.
“The painter then said he couldn’t do anything because the mould is too wet and the leak needs to be fixed. He then came back and cleaned the roof in the bedroom.
“I am being asked to live in this and I am worried about the potential health and safety risks these conditions are having not only for myself but my partner and eight-year-old.”
West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed areas affected by the leak have been cleaned and the mould removed. The mould, the council said, is caused by condensation.
A spokesperson said: “We are sorry the tenant is unhappy with the service. We inspected the property and identified water ingress and a specialist flat roof contractor has been instructed to assess and test the roof. Thereafter any required repairs will be undertaken.
“In the meantime, the areas affected by the leak have been thoroughly cleaned with anti-fungal treatment applied, and this has removed the mould.
“We will continue to offer the tenant support and assistance until this has been fully resolved.”
Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “I have been in touch with West Dunbartonshire Council on Mr McKenzie’s behalf to stress the urgency of the situation.
“I can understand Mr McKenzie’s frustration and would appreciate swift action from the council in this regard to stop the problem becoming much worse.”
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